Once you connect with a local, or scratch below the city's federal veneer, we've also got a nationally renowned culinary scene, an exhausting weekly schedule of rad parties, and all this minus the big city 'tude. Yussss.

ALWAYS START AT THE MANX

To get your bearings, we recommend you just head straight to THE MANX, Ottawa's arts pub. It's located smack dab in the middle of everything, and is the city's most infamous hub. A first date here is tantamount to a marriage proposal. The food is stellar, and all the servers will be glad to help you get to where you're going. Just ask nice, and don't be weird.